Israeli fighter jets, helicopters and possibly a submarine were involved in multiple attacks on targets in Sudan last week, according to local news outlets. The reports say that Israeli jets hit targets in the eastern part of the African country, near its border with Egypt, last Thursday. They hit six Land Cruiser jeeps and killed four people. An earlier strike took place last Sunday and reportedly involved Israeli helicopters. A truck was targeted. Some reports say an Israeli submarine was also spotted at the same time.

However, the Sudanese army spokesman, Col. Al-Sawarmi Haled Sa'ad, said that the military's air defense array gave no indication that the country's airspace had been breached. Arabic news outlet Dar al-Hayyat on Sunday reported conflicting information coming out of Sudan regarding alleged Israeli air strikes. It said that the governor of Sudans Red Sea District recently received notification from several citizens in the region that the IAF had raided smuggler convoys, in Abu Thabaq in the disputed Halaib triangle.

Also according to al-Rakoba, on December 15, Israeli Apache helicopters landed on an island east of the Red Sea port of Mohammed Qol. In early 2009, an Israeli raid on a 23-truck convoy carrying weapons to Hamas terrorists in Gaza was reported.

What naval activity has gone on lately in Sudan’s ports? Any Iranian flagged ships delivering “cargo” to their friends? Perhaps something was delivered that the Israelis feel shouldn’t be in Sudan and headed towards the Egyptian border which is a route to Israel.

Oddly enough, an Israeli official publicly called on the Iranians to strike Osirak after the beginning of hostilities between Iraq and Iran. During the Osirak raid, called Operation Opera, they pretended to be Saudis over Jordan and Jordanians over Saudi Arabia, using each nation's arab dialects, call signs, and flying formations.

However, it's doubtful the Sudanese have anything sophisticated in the area of air defense/detection requiring such subterfuge. Egypt is currently occupied with internal issues. I wouldn't be surprised if their post-Mubarak command structure has had an effect on reaction/competency.

I find the timing and possible use of a submarine interesting. Israel has been conducting air exercises with other Mediterranean nations. Iran is in the midst of a naval excercise.

Whatever the reason for the strike, I'm sure it was important and legitimate. It's also a pretty good opportunity for a warm up act if the head east next time.

"I wonder whose air space Israeli used to attack Sudan. I am suspicious of the validity of this report. "

The same route El Al uses when it flies to Nairobi.

IDF jets routinely fly training missions over the Red Sea, accessed via the Gulf of Aqaba. Military aircraft flying that route would not raise any suspicions, because they happen all the time....and that's one of the reasons for Israel repeatedly flying those missions.

35
posted on 12/26/2011 8:15:43 AM PST
by cookcounty
(2012 choice: It's the Tea Party or the Slumber Party.)

Israel should develop a Trans Africa alliance with South Sudan, including support for military training and equipment. This will allow Israel and South Sudan to contain North Sudan from south and north. It will also motivate South Sudan to export its oil to Israel. Israel and South Sudan have common interests.

Probably the same way we “know” they have nukes.
They don’t really acknowledge it, but a lot of things make it fairly evident. There’s always a source and operational analysis that leads to certain conclusions. Likely that’ll occur at some point.

Israel and South Sudan, Copts in Egypt, Christians in Lebanon and Bethlehem, Kurds, perhaps in the Syria after Assad goes also Alawites, India, Armenia...we have a great many potential allies we’d best start cultivating. We could even form our own organization to counter the UN or work within its framework: The Allliance of Near and Far Eastern Minorities (ANFEM). There. We’ve got an acronym that’s easy to pronounce and remember. Time to get cracking.

45
posted on 12/27/2011 4:32:16 AM PST
by Eleutheria5
(Diplomacy is war by other means.)

More likely it was a combination of low level tactics, IAF ECM and incompetent Sudanese RADAR operators. Stealth technology does not make one invisible. Stealth technology only reduces the range at which one is detected.

Unless Israel claims it so, how would anyone actually know Israel used a sub or stealth planes in a strike?

Start with the assumption that it was Israel, regardless. Then ask, how would someone know it was a sub?

The Red Sea is pretty heavily trafficked. Launching one or more sub-based land-attack missiles stands a good chance to be noticed.

In fact, it would be in Israel's best interest to launch from a position where it WOULD be noticed. Because it would be a clear demonstration of their capability while still retaining some plausible deniability.

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